Expect dust haze, rain from Monday – NiMet issues 3-day forecast

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a three-day weather forecast indicating a mix of dust haze and rainfall across several regions of the country between Monday and Wednesday. The agency urged the public to remain cautious and take necessary precautions.

In its outlook released on Sunday in Abuja, NiMet said that a slight dust haze with good visibility would dominate the atmosphere over Borno, Zamfara, northern Kaduna, Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina States on Monday.

It also projected that parts of Taraba and Adamawa States may witness isolated thunderstorms and light rain in the afternoon or evening hours.

According to the agency, the central region is expected to record sunny intervals with patches of clouds, while isolated thunderstorms and light rain are likely over the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nasarawa, and Kogi States later in the day.

“Cloudy conditions are expected in the southern region on Monday morning, with isolated thunderstorms and light rains over parts of Cross River, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom States.

“Later in the afternoon and evening, thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are anticipated in Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Ondo, Osun, Lagos, Ekiti, Ogun, Edo, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom States.

“On Tuesday, NiMet forecast continued slight dust haze in good visibility over northern states, while Taraba and Adamawa may experience isolated thunderstorms and light rain throughout the day.

“Sunny skies with intermittent clouds are predicted in the central region, alongside chances of early morning thunderstorms in Benue and later moderate rain across FCT, Nasarawa, and Kogi States.”

NiMet added that cloudy conditions would persist over the southern states, with moderate rainfall expected in Rivers, Cross River, Ebonyi, and Akwa Ibom during the morning, intensifying as the day progresses.

The agency also warned of potential flooding in parts of Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Cross River States and called on local authorities to activate emergency response mechanisms where needed.

For Wednesday, NiMet projected sunny skies across the northern region, with isolated thunderstorms and light rain later in the day, particularly in parts of Taraba State.

“The central region will experience sunny skies with patches of clouds, while isolated thunderstorms with light rain are likely over Kogi and the Federal Capital Territory.

“In the south, cloudy conditions are expected in the morning, followed by thunderstorms with moderate rains later in the afternoon and evening across Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Delta, and Akwa Ibom.”

The agency reiterated that flash floods remain a significant risk and advised motorists to exercise caution when driving in wet conditions. Authorities in vulnerable areas were also urged to implement flood mitigation plans promptly.

NiMet further advised people with asthma or respiratory illnesses to limit outdoor exposure in the northern states, where dust particles are expected to linger in the air.

Airline operators were encouraged to obtain airport-specific weather updates from NiMet for better flight planning, while the public was urged to follow regular updates on the agency’s official website and media platforms.